Window, particularly for being mounted in an inclined roof

ABSTRACT

In a window comprising a stationary frame and a tilting sash, the tilting axis is displaceable in a transverse direction relative to the frame or the sash substantially in the plane thereof so that the sash may be opened into a position in which the sash is situated substantially horizontally in the upper region of the window opening surrounded by the frame.

United States Patent [191 Rasmussen 1 Nov. 11, 1975 WINDOW, PARTICULARLY FOR BEING MOUNTED IN AN INCLINED ROOF [76] Inventor: Villum Benedikt Kann Rasmussen,

No. 6 Solystparken, 2930 Klampenborg, Denmark, 2930 [22] Filed: May 7, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 467,734

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 15, 1973 Denmark 2680/73 Sept. 6, 1973 Denmark 4908/73 [52] US. Cl 49/252; 49/252 [51] Int. CL' E05D 15/40 [58] Field of Search 49/246, 248, 250-253, 49/390, 150, 155-157 [56] References Cited 9 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,425,161 2/1969 Catlett et a1. 49/253 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1.175.376 11/1958 France 49/252 1,327,639 4/1963 France 49/252 833,529 4/1960 United Kingdom.... 49/251 546,108 9/1957 Canada 49/252 1,911,927 9/1970 Germany 49/141 Primary E.raminerl(enneth Downey Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lane, Aitken, Dunner & Ziems [5 7] ABSTRACT ln a window comprising a stationary frame and a tilting sash, the'tilting axis is displaceable in a transverse direction relative to the frame or the sash substantially in the plane thereof so that the sash may be opened into a position in which the sash is situated substantially horizontally in the upper region of the window opening surrounded by the frame.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 SheetlofS 3,918,205

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 of5 3,918,205

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,918,205

US. Patent No). 11, 1975 Sheet 4 of5 3,918,205

US. Patent N0v.11, 1975 Sheet50f5 3,918,205

l A w'mnow, PARTICULARLY FORBEING MOUNTED IN AN INCLINED RooF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a window which is intended particularly for being mounted in an inclined roof and comprises a sash which can be opened by being revolved around a horizontal axis. A

This group comprises the so-called tilting windows, the tilting or revolving axis of which extends through or is located in the vicinity of the centre of gravity of the sash. The axis may be slightly transversely displaceable during the tilting or revolving movement, of the aforesaid movement can be performed successively around two parallel axes having a distance which is small as compared to the vertical dimension of the window. In an overhead window or skylight of this type, the sash is usually in its normal open position which is more or less horizontal and often approximately at head level,

so that it divides or interrupts the field of vision through the opening surrounded by the frame. This division of the opening may influence the view through the window adversely and has the further result that the window cannot be approved as an emergency exit in the case of fire unless additional measures are taken, for example, in the form of so-called emergency fittings. This latter fact also applies to vertically mounted tilting windows, and even if the sashes of the latter in the normal open position are not tilted so much as to be horizontal they will nevertheless in this position also distrub the view to a larger or smaller degree.

In addition, a window of a related type is known,'for example, from the specification of Norwegian Pat. No. 115,635; that is, a window comprising a sash which, wile being able to revolve around a horizontal central axis, is suspended from the lower ends of a pair of arms or links which at the top are journalled in the frame some distance below the top edge of the latter. When the window is used in the normal way, the sash is by means of a pair of arresting mechanisms secured to the arms or the links so that the sash functions substantially as a top-hinged sash. However, the arresting mechanisms can be released so as to make possible a turning of the sash around its central axis in relation to the arms, for instance, with a view to having the window turned around for the purpose of cleaning its outside.

This window is intended for being mounted in a vertical wall and is hardly suited for being used in an inclined roof. In the case of such an application, if at all possible, the window would present virtually the same drawbacks as the tilting windows mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Starting from the aforementioned prior art technique, the invention relates to a window which is particularly intended for being mounted in an inclined roof and comprises a sash which from its closed position can be revolved around a horizontal axis which is located in such a way that the top part of the sash during the turning of the latter is moved inwards from the plane of the frame, and where the sash and the frame are interconnected via a pair of links mounted in or at the lateral clearances between the sash and the frame. According to the invention, such a window is characterized in that the links are hingedly connected to the sash at or in the vicinity of the lower sash element of the latter and to the lateral elements of the frame at or in the vicinity of the middle of the latter, and in that the axis of revolution between the sash and the frame is transversely displaceable in relation to one of these window parts substantially parallel to the plane of the particular part.

This construction effects an opening movement so far unknown in the case of a window sash, the said movement starting with a turning, known per se, of the sash around the horisontal axis and subsequently including an upwardly directed displacement of the sash toward an approximately horizontal position at the top of the frame. When the sash is in this position, it will, in by far the most cases, (dependent, however, on the vertical dimension of the window as well as on its mounting level and inclination), be located appreciably above normal eye level and thereby offer a relatively unhindered view through the opening surrounded by the frame. In addition to this, the possibilities of an emergency exit through the frame opening will be far better as compared to the prior art windows. This applies particularly to vertical windows and windows in a rather steep roof, by in the case of smaller inclinations of the window, a possibility of exit corresponding completely hereto may be achieved by the sash being from the horizontal position subjected to a further turning, for example, until it takes up a position approximately at right angles to the plane of the frame.

In particular, in the case of larger windows, it may be desirable to balance at least part of the weight of the sash to facilitate the movement in the opening direction and subdue its movement enhanced by the gravitation toward the closed position. Such a balancing may be achieved by means of counterpoised weights or springs arranged in a suitable manner. The sash may, by way of example, be supported by a torsion spring which is placed along the top element of the frame and comprises a pair of arms which in the closed position of the window extend downwardly along the lateral elements of the sash and with the lower ends are connected displaceably to these lateral elements. This displacement of the points of application of the spring-biased arms on the sash during the opening and closing of the latter makes possible an automatic adaptation of the balancing effect to the position of the window sash.

' In order to facilitate the cleaning of the window, the frame may, after having been opened so as to assume its position at the top of the frame, be partially releasable from the latter so as to be moved further on into a position in which the outside of the pane of the sash is accessible for cleaning from within.

A special embodiment of the window according to the invention is characterized in that the links are connected to the adjacent lateral sash elements via slides which are displaceable in the sash elements and of which at least one can be locked in its position in the sash corresponding to the closed position of the window, and in that the hinge pivots are supported in slides which are displaceable in the adjacent lateral frame elements and of which at least one can likewise be locked in its position in the frame corresponding to the closed window position. In this emobidment, the window sash has two different possibilities of movement, since, after the locking of the slides of the links and the release of the slides of the hinge pivots, it can be opened, as explained above, toward a position at the top of the frame, whereas inversely, that is, with locked hinge pivot slides and released link slides, it can be opened in exactly the same way as an ordinary tilting window and possibly be tilted all the way around so that the outside of the window becomes accessible for cleaning from within.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an inclined skylight according to the invention shown in vertical section in the closed position and the normal opened position, respectively;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show sections similar to FIG. 2 in two other windows, likewise shown as skylights or inclined overhead windows;

FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the window according to the invention, viewed from the inside and with the sash in the closed position;

FIG. 6 shows the same window, viewed from the outside and in perspective view and with the sash opened in two different ways, shown in fully drawn lines and in dotted lines, respectively; and

FIG. 7 shows a section, parallel to the plane of the window and on a larger scale, through one corner section of the window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The window shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a frame composed of a top element 1, two lateral elements 2 and a bottom element 3, and a sash composed of corresponding elements 4, 5 and 6. The lateral elements 5 of the sash carry approximately at their middle a pair of co-axial pivot pins 7 which are displaceable in guiding tracks 8 in the lateral elements 2 of the frame. These guiding tracks 8 extend from about the middle of the window upwardly toward the top element 1 of the frame. In the closed position, FIG. 1, the pivots 7 can be supported in the bottom ends of the tracks even if this is not necessary in the emobidment shown, the sash being furthermore supported by the frame via a pair of links 9 which with their ends are hingedly connected to a lateral frame element 2 and the bottom element 6 of the sash. In the closed position, the links 9 may be completely or partially concealed in the lateral clearances between the sash and the frame, although this does not apply to the emobidment in FIGS. 1 and 2.

By an oblique pull, directed downwardly and inwardly, in the top element 4, the sash can be turned or tilted clockwise from the position in FIG. 1. During the first part of this movement, the pivots 7 will not or practically not be displaced in the tracks 8, but after a certain angular turning, the extent of which depends on the dimensions chosen and the placing of the pivots 7 and the hinge pins of the links 9, the further movement in the opening direction of the sash presupposes that the pivots 7 are displaced upwardly in the tracks 8. With a view to this, an upwardly directed pressure may then be exerted on the sash top element 4.

The maneuvering of the sash may, however, be facilitated by a torsion spring 10, e.g. a torsion bar, being, as shown, mounted along the top element 1 of the frame, which torsion spring is at its middle secured against turning and at its ends rigidly connected to a pair of arms 11 which in the closed position extend downwardly along the lateral sash elements 5 and possibly cover the lateral clearances between the frame and the sash of the window. Each of the arms 11 extends slightly past the pivot pin 7 and at its lower end carries a slide shoe 12, for instance a ball head, which engages an undercut groove 13 in the lower part of the lateral sash element. The torsion bar 10 biases the arms 11 for a clockwise turning so that the ball heads 12 exert an oblique pull, directed outwardly and upwardly, in the sash. During the opening movement, the ball heads 12 are displaced downwardly in relation to the sash, and thereby the perpendicular distance between the said pull and the pivots 7 increases. By a suitable choice of spring characteristic for the torsion bar 10, it can be ensured that during the complete movement into the position in FIG. 2 a suitable torsion is exerted on the sash, and that the torsion in this position is sufficient for securing the sash which now is substantially horizontal with its upwardly facing outside located closely to the lower edge of the top element 1 of the frame.

When a cleaning of the outside of the window pane is required, the sash can be released partially from the frame, so that from the position in FIG. 2, it can be tilted further on until the outside of the window becomes accessible from the room within. By way of example, the links 9 may be released from the frame or the sash, or the pivots 7 may by an axial displacement be pulled out of the tracks 8. Another possibility is to design the tracks 8 with an exit slot 14, FIG. 1, for the pivots 7 or to provide the said tracks in rails 15, FIG. 2, which at their ends are fastened by screws to the frame and after one of the screws has been removed, for example the bottom screw 16, can be swung around the other screw.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 the same reference numerals have been used for parts analogous to those in FIGS. 1 and 2. The feature that in the present connection characterizes the embodiment in FIG. 3 is that the sash 4, 5, 6 by means of a cord drive 17 with a weight 18 is biased by a force directed towards the top element 1 of the frame, which force at least partially balances the weight of the sash. The pull cord 17 or the corresponding member, e.g. a chain or a band, is with one end attached to the pivot 7 of the sash and is carried around an upper reversing roller 19 near the top element of the frame and an additional roller 20 in the bottom element 3.

In FIG. 4, the sash 4, 5, 6 is also biased upwardly via a pair of pull cords 17 which are attached to the sash in the vicinity of the horizontal axis of the latter. In this case, however, the pull in the cords is effected by a spring and in the drawing this is symbolized by the cord 17 being led up through a hole in the top element 1 of the frame and connected to a torsion spring 21 which is located along the top element and may be common to the two cords at either side of the window. Instead of such a spring arrangement, an elongated roller (similar to a blind roller) actuated by a torsion spring may be used, the pull cords being wound onto the roller.

An additional characteristic feature of the embodiment in FIG. 4 is that in this case the pivots 7 are fastened in the lateral elements 2 of the frame and engage guiding tracks 8 in the lateral elements 5 of the sash. This offers a greater latitude with regard to determining the tilting movement of the sash, e.g. so that the top element 4 of the sash moves a smaller distance inwardly from the plane of the frame.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sash can also be partially released from the frame for being further tilted into a cleaning position as explained above.

In the embodiments according to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 the window also comprises a frame consisting of a top element 1, two lateral elements 2 and a bottom element 3 as well as a sash composed of corresponding elements 4, 5 and 6, and approximately at their middle the lateral elements 5 of the sash carry a pair of co-axial hinge pivots 7. The outwardly projecting ends of these pivots are in this case supported in slides 28 which are displaceable in guiding rails 29 in the lateral elements 2 of the frame. These guiding rails 29 extend from the middle of the window upwardly towards the top element 1 of the frame.

Between the sash and frame of the window, the links 9 (FIGS. 6 and 7) have furthermore been inserted, each of which is at its upper end hingedly connected to the associated lateral element 2 of the frame and at its bottom is hinged to a slide 31 which is displaceable in a guiding track 32 in the lateral element 5 of the sash.

At the middle of the bottom element 6 of the sash a casing 33 has been inserted having a grip 34 which is connected to a pair of rods 35 and 35 which are 'displaceable in the bottom element and extend outwardly to the lateral elements 5 of the sash. In the position shown in FIG. 7, the outer end of the rod 35 is in locking engagement with a hole in the slide 31 and thereby secures the latter against displacement in the guiding track 32. At this end, the rod 35 is via a corner connecting strap 36 connected to the bottom end of a maneuvering bar 37 which in FIG. 5 has only been indicated in dotted lines and which is located in a recess 38 in the lateral element 5 of the sash and is displaceable in a pair of guiding fittings 39. At its top, the bar 37 is via a double-armed lever 40, joumalled in the sash element, hinged to the hinge pivot 7 of the window sash, the pivot being displaceable in a fitting 41 in the lateral element 5 of the sash so that from the position in FIG. 7 it can be shifted into a locking engagement with a recess 42 in the lateral element 2 of the frame.

When the window is opened with the change-over mechanism 34, 35, 36, 37 in the position shown in FIG. 7, the movement of the sash will be determined by the two links 9 and by the two slides 28 which are displaceable in the guiding rails 29 and with which the hinge pivots 7 engage. The window sash will consequently be moved toward the position which is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6 and in which the sash offers the least obstruction to the vision and to a possible exit through the opening surrounded by the window frame.

While the sash is in its closed position, the grip 34 can be changed over so that the rod 35 is disengaged from that it is a matter of course that the locking of the two slides 28 and 31 may be performed in many other ways than that shown, for example, as regards the slide 28, by means of a separate locking pin instead of the dis placeable hinge pivot 7. Moreover, the transmission of the movement from the grip 34 to the hinge pivot 7 or to the separate locking pin may be established in numerous other ways by means of well-known elements. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 the elements 37, 39, 40 may thus be substituted by a lever or tilting rod which at its middle is joumalled in the sash element 5 and at its ends is connected to the rod 35 and the hinge pivot 7, respectively, or by a torsion bar, the rotation of which is via a suitable link converted into a displacement of the hinge pivot 7.

I claim:

1. A window comprising:

a frame member and a sash member;

pivot means at an intermediate portion of said sash member defining an axis and permitting said sash member to be tilted relative to said frame member about said axis;

link means extending substantially perpendicularly to said axis;

means hingedly connecting the ends of said link means to said frame and sash members, respectively;

first guide means in one of said members defining a displacement path for said pivot means parallel to the plane of such member;

second guide means in one of said members defining a displacement path for the hinge means connecting said link means to such member; and

locking means to selectively prevent the displacement of said pivot means or said hinge means along said first and second guide means, respectively.

2. A window as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot means are journalled inslides cooperating with said first guide means which are provided in said frame member, and wherein said hinge means include a slide cooperating with said second guide means which are provided in said sash member.

3. A window as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slide associated with the link means and at least one of the slides associated with the pivot means is operatively connected to a common change-over mechanism for the simultaneous locking of one of said slides and release of the other slide.

4. A window as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivot means are axially displaceable and in one extreme position are operative to lock the associated slide relative to said frame member.

5. A window as claimed in claim 4, wherein a maneuvering bar, mounted in said sash member, is operatively connected to a handle, and has its end operatively connected to the axially displaceable pivot means and to a pin for locking the link slide to said sash member, respectively. 

1. A window comprising: a frame member and a sash member; pivot means at an intermediate portion of said sash member defining an axis and permitting said sash member to be tilted relative to said frame member about said axis; link means extending substantially perpendicularly to said axis; means hingedly connecting the ends of said link means to said frame and sash members, respectively; first guide means in one of said members defining a displacement path for said pivot means parallel to the plane of such member; second guide means in one of said members defining a displacement path for the hinge means connecting said link means to such member; and locking means to selectively prevent the displacement of said pivot means or said hinge means along said first and second guide means, respectively.
 2. A window as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot means are journalled in slides cooperating with said first guide means which are provided in said frame member, and wherein said hinge means include a slide cooperating with said second guide means which are provided in said sash member.
 3. A window as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slide associated with the link means and at least one of the slides associated with the pivot means is operatively connected to a common change-over mechanism for the simultaneous locking of one of said slides and rElease of the other slide.
 4. A window as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivot means are axially displaceable and in one extreme position are operative to lock the associated slide relative to said frame member.
 5. A window as claimed in claim 4, wherein a maneuvering bar, mounted in said sash member, is operatively connected to a handle, and has its end operatively connected to the axially displaceable pivot means and to a pin for locking the link slide to said sash member, respectively. 